How Qatar is building the 2022 World Cup from scratch

Almost eight years ago, Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup at a historic FIFA vote in Zurich, Switzerland—beating the likes of other hopefuls such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the US.

The moment the then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter took out the card that had Qatar’s name on it, the entire country erupted in absolute jubilation.

Another unexpected announcement was made at the recently-concluded World Cup tournament in Russia last summer, when FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the football’s showpiece spectacle in 2022 will begin on November 21 and wrap up on December 18—making it the first-ever winter World Cup in history.

From 2010 on, the first-ever Middle Eastern country to host the historic games has gone about fulfilling its promises at a rapid pace and without a pause.

With these in consideration, listed below are the key areas wherein Qatar is concentrating to make the 2022 FIFA World Cup as EPIC as possible.

Football stadiums

The Khalifa International Stadium

One of the biggest examples of Qatar's preparatory projects has been the large-scale renovation of the country’s iconic sports venue like the Khalifa International Stadium. The 50,000-seater, which was renovated at a remarkably quick pace, got inaugurated in May 2017 when the Amir Cup final was played between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. Fans were surprised when it was inaugurated more than five years ahead of schedule!

The seven remaining stadiums—which are not only gargantuan and innovative but also sustainable in every way possible—are in the process of installing the roofs. Every bit of construction work will be complete by 2020, two years before the World Cup.

Ambitious train project

The Phase 1 of the ambitious Doha Metro

Qatar, as everyone knows, has also spent billions of dollars to link up the country’s football stadiums with the most modern metro network in recent times. According to recent reports, the Doha Metro will provide cheap rides starting at QR2 in the first year of operation, helping low-income people save travel expenses significantly.

To have an idea on how the ambitious Doha Metro is going to change the lives of people in Qatar, click HERE.

5-star airport—better than ever!

Qatar's Hamad International Airport

Ever since its inauguration in April 2014, the Hamad International Airport has expanded its work area significantly and successfully increased capacity to handle the rising numbers of passengers. One of the world's biggest runways is set to receive more than 1300 flights a day during the games that will last for one whole month. Also, Qatar Airways just introduced new destinations for 2017 and we won't be surprised if they add a few more bunch before the year ends!

State-of-the-art road navigation

Ashghal, the authority responsible for the construction and maintenance of local roads, drainage systems, highways and public buildings, is expanding and improving Qatar’s road networks, spending billions to rev up the country’s preparations for the World Cup.

Last year in February, Qatar announced that it was spending close to ‘$500m a week on World Cup infrastructure projects’ to meet its deadlines ahead of the 2022 edition. Work continues at full speed to lay new road networks, build new hospitals and construct underground rail tunnels and bridges. How Qatar looked some 5-6 years is a far cry from how futuristic it looks now.

To know how Ashghal is going to transform West Bay's North Beach into a urban waterfront destination, click HERE.

Environment-friendly games

A view of the Aspire Park

It was as well reported that the games will help further plant more than 5,000 trees, and create more than 850,000 square metre of new green spaces and parks.

The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development reaffirmed during the fifth edition of the Sustainability Summit 2018 Qatar’s commitment to delivering a sustainable and inclusive 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament and football experience, as evident in the various 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium projects.

To know why Qatar is the only country in the MENA region to make it to Newsweek's '50 Cleanest' list HERE.

Allegations defied

December 22, 2010 when Qatar wins the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Qatar's staging of the World Cup, though still a vague, ridiculous idea to many football fans, is being designed, constructed and financed to 'deliver amazing' of everything—thus the Supreme Committee's slogan.

Some publications are even calling Qatar’s bold attempts to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup ‘improbable’ as Doha only has 300,000 citizens during the time that the bid was won (December 2010).

Not only this. The blockading countries, which believe that Qatar bribed the FIFA committee, at one point urged an in-depth investigation to make sure that no form of 'corruption' was made in order for the latter to snag the most-coveted glory of hosting the biggest and most-awaited sport event in the world.

Each and every allegations were defied with the help of the government's graceful handling of the accusations and the more than one-year-old blockade in general.

The 2022 World Cup will be played from November 21 to December 18, 2022, with the tournament set to last for only 28 days.

Countdown is ON for 2022!

With the clock ticking fast, public and private sectors such as the Qatar Stars League, Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy have today (November 21, 2018) jointly organised a schools football festival to mark the four-year countdown to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile, beIN Sports, a global network of sports channels which has a headquarters in Qatar, is dedicating a full day in honour of one of the biggest sporting events in the world on several of its channels, live from the host nation.

From special programs and interviews to reports, beIN will broadcast the captivating history and experiences of the World Cup throughout the years through its unrivalled commentary, expertise, and exclusive footage of some of the most iconic moments in football.

beIN is the official broadcaster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having started its journey as the official broadcaster of the FIFA tournament since 2010.

With amazing tourists spots around the country of 2.67 million people and a transport system second to none in the world, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be hard to beat. Since fans will cover short distances to reach from one venue to their hotel or to another stadium, the World Cup in Qatar could actually make it possible for visitors to watch more than one match a day!

To know more about the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which delivers and builds stadiums, infrastructure and legacy for the for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, check out their website and social media links below!

About Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy

Are you as excited as us for Qatar's epic chore of hosting the World Cup four years from now? If yes, drop us a line in the comments and also, don't forget to like and share this article—it keeps us going!